Top Gear fans praise Patagonia special as Argentina rages at airing of controversial show

FANS flooded Twitter to defend Top Gear last night - after the broadcast of a special Patagonia episode sparked new fury in Argentina.

Despite protests from the Argentinian ambassador the BBC aired the controversial special

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson was accused of "glossing over the truth" during the programme, while local media also accused the show's producers of "poking fun" at the South American country.

The second instalment of the 120-minute Top Gear special followed Clarkson and his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May as they travelled through Chile and Argentina in V8-engine sports cars.

Argentinian government and people should be ashamed

Zander Smith, commenting on the show

Enraged locals threw rocks and chased the Top Gear team to the border after it emerged Clarkson's car was carrying a licence plate that read 'H982 FKL' – which many felt was a reference to the 1982 Falklands War that left hundreds dead.

Following the BBC broadcast last night, radio station Radio Fuegina - in Argentina's southern Tierra del Fuego region – blasted the “doubtful credibility” of the episode.

Meanwhile, leading daily newspaper Clarin accused Clarkson of continuing to strain the relationship between Britain and Argentina.

It dubbed the BBC’s Top Gear special "the programme of controversy".

Rival newspaper La Nacion also reported: “The BBC broadcast the Top Gear programme that poked fun at Argentinians over the Malvinas.”

PA

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson was accused of "glossing over the truth" during the show

PA

The controversial 120-minute long Patagonia special was aired in two parts over Christmas

But British fans of the controversial motoring show rushed to the defence of Top Gear last night.

Zander Smith tweeted: "Horrible behaviour from the Argentinians on #TopGear... Argentinian government and people should be ashamed".

Another fan tweeted: "that looked terrifying.

"Utter disgrace and such a shame as the rest of Argentina looked stunning."

Another tweet hailed the "brave" Top Gear team for facing the flurry of stones thrown at them by enraged locals, adding: "Seriously worried for the #TopGear crew as I was watching it. how brave are those guys."

Clarkson, Hammond and May later cut their trip short with an unscheduled flight to Argentina's capital Buenos Aires.

In October, Argentina's ambassador to the UK, Alicia Castro, met with BBC director of television Danny Cohen to demand a public apology over the Top Gear row.